A Note from One of Our Pastor (April 2015)

I always enjoyed team sports. I grew up with baseball, football, basketball, and soccer but mostly concentrated on football and soccer in high school and then soccer in college. I’ve often spoke about the beneficial lessons learned from team sports and how it can shape positive character traits in us. I am now enjoying working with a team but one might not consider it a sport. I’m referring to the ministry team at Shepherd Gate. I’m seeing the same character that makes for an effective team now working among the pastoral staff at Shepherd Gate. There is a pulling together with one another for the good of the Kingdom and the church.

Effective teams are typically humble. When one member tries to present themselves above another, generally discord follows and the mission is lost. But when we present ourselves as Jesus taught and lived, then we take on the mind of Christ in all humility and count others interests above our own. The Lord’s will is more clearly identified and sought after since we are not worrying about our own well-being but are more concerned about pleasing the Lord and working together to accomplish His Will.

But when we present ourselves as Jesus taught and lived, then we take on the mind of Christ in all humility and count others interests above our own. The Lord’s will is more clearly identified and sought after since we are not worrying about our own well-being but are more concerned about pleasing the Lord and working together to accomplish His Will. So I find myself thanking God for the blessing of bringing together such a gifted and humble team and seeing their collective effectiveness blessing so many and pleasing the Lord. “Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” Ps. 133:1

Join me in thanking God for our Pastoral team at Shepherd Gate. For David, Andrew, Tom, Gary, Carmen, Caroline, and our administrative staff of Carly and Carol. (I know it’s a lot of names that begin with C). The blessings continue with our elders, deacons, life group leaders and ministry heads. We are living in such contentious days and it is a comfort to be blessed with supportive brothers and sisters in Christ. To God be the glory.